Chinese journalists visit Greenwich

Amanda Cuda

Updated 10:43 pm, Friday, November 1, 2013

Chinese translator Wendy Hua, left, translates comments First Selectman Peter Tesei made during a visit by 16 Chinese journalists to Greenwich Friday, November 1, 2013. The journalists were here to get a better understanding of Greenwich as a financial center, commuting base to NYC, and a residential center.

Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei speaks with translator Wendy Hua during a visit by sixteen Chinese journalists during their visit to Greenwich Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. The journalists are here to get a better understanding of Greenwich as a financial center, commuting base to NYC, and a residential center.
Photo: David Ames

Chinese journalist Shi Ying, left, takes notes during a visit to Greenwich Town Hall, along with fifteen other Chinese journalists, to get a better understanding of Greenwich as a financial center, commuting base to NYC and a residential center.
Photo: David Ames

First Selectman Peter Tesei, second from left, listens to translator Wendy Hua, left, during a visit to Town Hall by sixteen Chinese journalists here to get a better understanding of Greenwich as a financial center, commuting base to NYC, and a residential center Friday, Nov. 1, 2013.
Photo: David Ames

Chinese translator Wendy Hua, left, First Selectman Peter Tesei and Ambassador at Large Bea Crumbine were on hand to answer questions from sixteen Chinese journalists who were here to get a better understanding of Greenwich Friday, Nov. 1, 2013.
Photo: David Ames

For a good 10 minutes before a group of visiting Chinese journalists was to arrive in the Hayden Room of Greenwich Town Hall, members of the first selectman's Economic Advisory Committee furiously arranged and rearranged furniture, trying to get it perfect for the group's arrival.

It turns out, though, that they probably shouldn't have spent so much time on redecorating. When the group of 18, including interpreter Wendy Hua, finally arrived, they sat in the chairs for all of two minutes before jumping out of their seats to grill First Selectman Peter Tesei on the town's businesses, real estate, and other topics.

They asked such questions as what the town's economy is based on (a blend of financial services and real estate), whether there is any new construction in town (yes, lots), and what's the median cost of a house in town ($1.6 million). Tesei asked a question of his own, wanting to know if there's a lot of interest in China in investing in Greenwich.

"Of course," Hua translated.

"Just tell them that town hall isn't for sale," Tesei quipped.

The journalists, who work for a variety of media outlets in Hangzhou, China, are touring cities and towns across the country, including New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

"There are a lot of people making a lot of money (in Greenwich) but they also enjoy a nice lifestyle," Ormond said.

Other town officials were on hand for the question-and-answer session, including Ambassador-at-Large Bea Crumbine, who was impressed by the interplay between Tesei and the Chinese group. "I thought it was fascinating," she said. "It was very interesting to me to see what intrigued them about Greenwich."

Hua, who hails from China but lives and works in Los Angeles, said she was equally intrigued with Greenwich, particularly the way the town looks. "It's very different from China, and very different from the West Coast," she said. "The landscaping is amazing."